As stated on the class Discussion page, postings are graded for both form (editing) and content, and they are not simple opinion pieces. Postings are the equivalent to in-class essays in a face-to-face class, so they must show your understanding of the reading, your ability to apply the situations to actual experiences described in precise detail, the depth of your thinking and creativity developing an essay about the topic. A typical posting should be about 300 words long and, when appropriate, incorporate documented quotations from the readings.
Likewise, the responses are not simple "I agree" or "Good job" bits of chat. They need to demonstrate your ability to add examples and ideas to the discussion. Ideally, they will introduce new ways of looking at the topic that will allow others to pick up on your examples and expand on their own discussions. A typical response will be about 150-or-more words.
Also remember (and this is true of all discussions and essays for this class) your are not summarizing what you read, and you are not just giving unsupported opinions; you are trying to show that you understand what you have read. When possible, you must quote and document examples from the readings, and you should be able to apply the situations to actual, specific, detailed (not general) examples you have experienced or studied in the real world.
Hellos and Short-Short Stories
On Etudes, in the Resources Section, click on "Readings" > "Short Stories" > "Collection of Short Shorts". These "short short" stories (typically under 500 words, often a lot shorter) are very quick to read but often tricky to understand. It's a fun challenge, and I'd like you to read and think about (maybe take some notes?) this handful of stories for part of this week's discussion.
Some of them are conventional, with clear plots, character development, conflicts that need to be resolved, complete sentences, etc. Others are more experimental (non-traditional). Each story does have within it some key idea (also known as a theme). Some short stories have more than one key idea, though with writing this short, chances are there is really only one key meaning/idea/theme.
Remember your discussion takes place on Etudes. Select "Discussions and Private Messages," > "Discussion 1," then click on "New Topic" on the discussion board, and put up your posting (before Friday midnight); you will then put up responses before Sunday midnight.
First, in a couple of sentences, introduce yourself (you might want to let us know a little bit about your background, your goals, your thoughts (fears?) about Freshman Composition--whatever you feel you want to share).
Then discuss the following:
Select one of the short-short stories to write about. Determine if the story is more conventional or more experimental (or an even mix of the two). Be sure you explain why this is so, and use concrete examples (quoted and documented) from the story to support this. Talk about anything that seems to fit; for example, "The Sleepover" seems to use symbolism by relating the early part of the story to an old, black-and-white movie version of Frankenstein (how?), and "The Eclipse" uses a traditional "snapper" (quick ironic reversal at the end) to give the story impact (and dark humor).
Then explain what the theme (idea) is the reader is intended to take away from the story. What in the story (character change? plot reversal? symbolism?) might lead a reader to conclude that. Again, be sure that you use details from the story that support your comments about what this theme is, and don't necessarily settle for something very simple; some of these stories are short but subtle.
Try to have some fun with this :)